NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 43 of 57)

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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Pontiac G6 has major problems with two areas fairly critical to the act of driving... steering & safety.

The 2006 G6 has a major defect trend with electronic power-assisted steering failure. The power steering cuts out while driving, making it extremely difficult to steer. G6 owners typically report spending $600 - $1,200+ to fix the problem, replacing either the entire steering column or the power assist motor.

In March 2010, GM recalled 1.3 million vehicles for this exact problem "...after receiving 1,100 complaints of power steering failures." However the 2006 G6 wasn't included in that recall.

In July 2010, GM issued a "Special Coverage Adjustment" — TSB #10183 — covering "certain" (not all) 2005, 2006 & 2008 Pontiac G6's for this power steering issue, up to 10 years/100k miles. However a large number of 2006 G6 owners have reported they were not covered by this campaign, based on VIN#.

As of late 2013 the NHTSA had well over 700 steering complaints on file for the 2006 G6, with 21 crashes & 12 injuries. The NHTSA closed their initial investigation in 2007, having determined that losing your power steering going over 15-20 mph isn't a big deal & that most crashes occurred at slow speeds, so not a safety risk. Ridiculous? Yep, we think so too.

The 2006 G6 also has an expensive problem with "popping" or "clunking" noises when turning, & that issue extends to newer model years as well.

Factor in the 2006 Pontiac G6's poor side impact protection & you end up with a vehicle you should steer clear of.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
51 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
30 / 1
Average Mileage:
75,713 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Pontiac G6 steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 43 of 57)

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problem #287

Feb 202010

G6

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering on 2006 Pontiac G6. My G6 has a 3.5 liter engine. I have been noticing for quite some time now that if I was attempting a tight 3 point turn or making normal routine turns that it felt as if the power steering was going out. I thought that it might just be my imagination until the power steering light came on. I looked at the car manual and to my dismay there is no way to add steering fluid in my car. I looked up the information online to find that a large number of people are in the exact same position as myself. Everyone seems to have the same complaint and the same repairs and bills. This needs to be something that GM resolves as it seems to be a huge ongoing problem with these models and as a consumer not one that I believe should be coming out of my pocket. I seem to be one of the lucky ones that hasn't had it go out while driving at more than 10 miles per hour.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

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problem #286

Feb 172010

G6

  • 75,755 miles
Power steering light comes on and car looses power steering while driving. Once the car is turned off and then back on the power steering will reset itself and you can drive further. This happens very sporadically, nothing lets you know when it is about to happen. Doesn't manner the temp, amount of time the car has been running, turning, driving straight, speed. Extremely dangerous!!!

- Fairhope, AL, USA

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problem #285

Jan 282010

G6

  • 18,456 miles
Pontiac G6 steering defective. Makes popping sound at low speeds. Developed a serious shake felt almost like wheel was coming loose on front end of car. Steering pump shut down and lost control of car near miss head on accident. Driver in opposite lane veered out of way just in time to avoid head on crash.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

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problem #284

Feb 122010

G6

  • 19,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2006 Pontiac G6 steering issues since car was new. At one point, completely lost power steering making car difficult, almost impossible, to control. Since then, steering making loud clunking noise when turning and difficult to control on uneven surfaces.

- Houston, PA, USA

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problem #283

Aug 112008

G6

  • 43,812 miles
Put car in automatic car wash, the car jerked left so hard that it punctured a tire while in the car wash. Went to purchase new tires and have them aligned and rotated. While trying to align tires on the rack when the car was running (on the rack) the wheel would jerk to left. The car would suddenly pull to the left with no warning. Was extremely difficult to turn to the right. When trying to correct by turning right you would be pulling so hard on the wheel that when it would release you would almost run off the other side of the road. Took to dealership and they re-calibrated the steering, car had 43,812 miles & I bought it brand new.

- Fairhope, AL, USA

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problem #282

Feb 082010

G6

  • 57,500 miles
Clunking or popping when turning at low speeds.

- Eugene, OR, USA

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problem #281

Dec 122009

G6

  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving the steering wheel turns with ease to left but very hard to the right. There is also a clicking noise when turning the steering wheel. In doing some research it sounds like I am only one of many with this same issue. Either the power steering or electric steering is faulty and needs to be recalled before someone is killed when driving because the steering column has failed.

- Saint Stephen, MN, USA

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problem #280

Feb 102010

G6

  • 71,000 miles
The other day, I was driving to school and my car started shaking really bad. It was when I just hit about 55 mph. Then, 2 days later, I get a dinging and the words "power steering" showing up on my diu. I was going around a corner, so it was difficult to turn. I then started doing my research to find out a lot of 2006 G6 have this problem. I am pretty sure I have to replace the steering column, which will cost a lot of money. Which I don't have right now, being a college student.

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

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problem #279

Sep 012009

G6

  • 58,000 miles
Power steering locks up. Have to shut off and restart several times before it unlocks. Very unsafe. First time it happened I was backing out of driveway. Has happened several times since. Have researched problem and seems that many people with same car are having the same problem. I no longer have warranty but feel it should be covered by GM due to manufacture defect.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

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problem #278

Jan 302010

G6

  • 60,500 miles
Power steering - electric power steering - on 2006 Pontiac G6 stops working while car is in motion. Turning car off and back on sometimes gets it working for a while, but eventually fails again while car is in motion.

- Lisle, IL, USA

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problem #277

Jan 282010

G6

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2006 Pontiac G6 GT's power steering keeps failing. All of a sudden it will stop working and the radio will say power steering. GM should have a recall on this problem. There are forums all over the internet complaining about this.

- Salem, NH, USA

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problem #276

Jan 282010

G6

  • 63,700 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 25 mph and making a turn, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. He was able to drive onto the emergency lane and shut the engine off. The contact was able to drive to his residence although the failure recurred. His local mechanic confirmed the power steering failed and repaired it. The dealer was not notified of the failure although it occurred approximately 20 times. The failure mileage was 63,700 and the current mileage was 63,571.

- Alexandria, OH, USA

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problem #275

Jan 012010

G6 6-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated the steering goes to the left whenever she is driving. The steering cannot turn to the right and the steering is very hard to turn. The steering column rattles with a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replace the power steering motor and intermediate steering shaft in September 2007. This failure is happening again but contact have not taken the vehicle to the dealer as yet. The failure mileage was 73,000. Updated 3/8/10 the dealer replaced the power steering motor and intermediate steering shaft. Updated 05/20/10.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

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problem #274

Jan 312010

G6

  • 49,000 miles
Power steering message displayed. Steering started to fail.

- Warren, OH, USA

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problem #273

Jan 282010

G6

  • 53,000 miles
My car is a Pontiac G6 2006, and I purchased it in October of 2006. My power steering started going out about 2 times a week for the past 6 months. Once I turn the car off and back on it works ok. Now it happens also while driving, or sitting idle. I'll feel the wheel stiffen. Luckily this has happened while I've been at a red light. This is a very major safety hazard.

- Cleveland Hts, HI, USA

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problem #272

Dec 182009

G6

  • 56,000 miles
I am hearing a clunking noise from the steering as I am turning. This has been in the shop 3 prior times for the same problem and it keeps returning. My warranty expired at 40000 miles and I now have 56000 miles. I feel this is a safety issue as it continues to get louder and worse the longer it is left unrepaired. So far only temporary fixes have been done by dealer. I believe this problem is the intermediary steering shaft. I have none of the parts and the dealer has managed to fix it 3 different ways, probably to avoid a recall issue.

- Columbiaville, MI, USA

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problem #271

Jan 272010

G6

  • 90,000 miles
Vehicle is a 2006 Pontiac G6 GT, driving at any speed a warning messages comes on the radio about the power steering, then a chime alerts you like a door chime. After words the power steering assist goes out and the driver loses all control to steer the car basically the car is unmanagable to steer safely. When the car is able to be steered it pulls hard to one direction and is very shaky. This has occurred 3 times in the last 2 days resulting in not being able to drive the vehicle. No repairs have been made yet to the vehicle, I have made an appointment on 2/1/2010 for service at a Pontiac dealer. I called GM and opened a claim about this problem as well. No crash or injuries were involved with these incidents but I feel that there is a high risk of crash or injuries with this situation.

- Barnegat, NJ, USA

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problem #270

Jan 262010

G6

  • 70,000 miles
Power steering light came on and immediately was unable to steer car. Almost hit a car. Has happened on two separate occasions.

- Slocomb, AL, USA

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problem #269

Dec 032009

G6

  • 90,000 miles
I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 when starting the car the power steering light comes on and when driving the car the steering wheel shakes violently I have been reading consumer reports and what I have found is scary the prob doesn't get any better I was told I needed to replace the steering column but several people said the prob returns after 3 to 6 months I have also read that the steering can go out while driving the car leaving you helpless in this death trap I fear since I am a woman that if this does happen I fear for my safety.

- Lodi, CA, USA

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problem #268

Mar 302007

G6

  • 15,000 miles
2006 Pontiac G6 GT - power steering keeps going out. Car clunks when turning, on highway shakes and is very hard to turn. Fear for my safety and my husband's and children that ride in car safety. Been happening since I got the car in 2007.

- Braselton, GA, USA

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